The Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust consultation into community hospital services has now closed.

Over 5,000 local people, staff and stakeholders gave feedback on proposals to relocate health services in Essex.

The proposals included the relocation of rehabilitation services across mid and south Essex, the relocation of a freestanding midwife-led birthing unit, and the possibility of moving all patient services at St Peter's Hospital Maldon. 

These proposals would result in the permanent closure of Maldon's historic community hospital.

The Foundation Trust has collected over 5,200 online survey responses, with hundreds more paper copies to follow. 

Feedback from 15 consultation events have also been logged.

This feedback will now be analysed by an independent research agency, who will produce a report for NHS Mid and South Essex. 

A draft report will be published on the consultation webpage in the coming months.

A 'decision-making case' will also be developed, for consideration by the local integrated care board.

Dr Matt Sweeting, Executive Medical Director for NHS Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board (ICB), said, "Thank you to everyone who has taken part in this important consultation. 

"We are grateful to staff, stakeholders and local people who took the time to share their views with us. 

"It is so important that we understand what you all think of these proposals and the possible impact implementing them. 

"We have commissioned an organisation to independently evaluate responses, and we will carefully consider all the feedback before making a decision about how to proceed."

A decision-making meeting, held in public, is due to take place in July 2024. 

Further details will be published on the NHS Mid and South Essex Integrated Care Board website. 

The Foundation Trust are keen to remind the public that no decisions have been taken on the proposed changes.

The consultation, which ran from January 25, was originally planned to end March 21, 2024. 

A two-week extension was agreed to give residents more time to respond, with an additional extension added in consideration of the Easter Bank Holidays'. 

Sir John Whittingdale, MP for Maldon, launched his own survey to gather views of people living in Maldon. 

Responses to his survey will be taken into consideration as part of the consultation process.